The Lives of the Old North End

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The Old North End is a look at the lives and history of the Old North End of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Originally referred to as the North Suburbs the community was settled by German and Swiss immigrants known as “The Foreign Protestants”. After 1753 the community developed into a primarily working class neighbourhood closely connected with the nearby wharfs of the busy Halifax waterfront and Naval Yards. In the mid-1950s a large scale urban renewal project began in Halifax which razed most of the “old north end” reducing the population significantly. Today this neighbourhood is in a period of renewal and this website will celebrate its past, its present and its future through the stories of the people who made/make their home(s) here.

This website is the project of Nathaniel Smith a resident of Falkland Street which runs through what remains of the “old” North End. A history buff and political junkie this website will provide an overview of the research he has been doing for much of the last decade.

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9 thoughts on “About”

I wanted to comment on the building on the corner of Barrington and Blowers that put the Blues Corner out of business. Shocking that wealthy people of power can move INTO a neighbourhood and kill a thriving business in the downtown core because the bar they moved in next to is too loud… nasty bit of business that was.

This blog is an incredibly interesting and timely resource. Your recent article in the Coast is also an excellent starting point for a really important conversation that not enough people are having. I’m a student doing a bit of research on development in the North End and I’d be really interested in chatting with you. If you could email me at kbaker56@uwo.ca I’d really appreciate it. I’d love to hear more about your thoughts on living in and researching the North End!

Hey there Nathaniel,
I am about to move into one of the homes that you recently documented on your blog, and I was wondering if I could get a higher resolution scan of the photo you found while at your parents house?
Thanks, love the blog!
J

Hello! I recently opened a store on Gottingen Street and was interested in finding out about a dress shop that used to be on the street. I believe it closed down in the 1970’s or 80’s. It sold formal dresses and womens clothing, and I believe used to be located on the corner of Gottingen and Cornwallis. I was wondering if you could help me out in the research department, or point me in the right direction. Please email me at honeybeevintagebridal@gmail.com. I am looking for any info about the stores history as a part of a potential display in my shop for the Gottingen 250 festival.
Thanks!
Melanie

Nice work ! Here’s something that i pondered. Here is the proper German pronunciation of Gottingen http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=gottingen I remember my grandmother pronouncing the second ‘g’ similarly, as a soft ‘g’ as in ‘gun’. Now more often i hear the second ‘g’ as a hard ‘g’ as in Jen. I’m thinking we are seeing different generations anglicizing differently. Next up ‘Agri – cola’ haha

Hi again, Nathaniel-
I have some really wonderful photos of the old Brunswick Street United Church I’d like to share with you, if you’re interested. A couple of them are my own, but there is a nice group of pictures of the church taken in 1970 for the Canadian Inventory of Heritage Buildings.
Also, you should consider featuring St George’s Round Church, where I am Director of Music. It’s a unique and nationally significant building, well worth an entry in your blog, and possibly your future book(!).
I only wish Brunswick Street United had the same support for restoration that St George’s had. It was quite obviously a unique and truly magnificent building. The photos I have show that.
Best,
Garth